Winter is coming.

[gotboostedvr6]

1994 140 looper
1984 150 crossflow

Hit 27* F last night. Haven't winterized yet. Motors are tilted all the way down.

Merc rates their outboards to be used below freeze as long as when stored is all the way down.

Never heard of a min temp for OMC.

Your thoughts?

 

[Chris1956]

Your outboards should drain if they are kept in the vertical position, same as a Merc. If you leave the boat in the water, leave the motor down, when temps approach freezing.

FYI- winterizing outboards does not include the cooling system, as these drain on their own. Winterizing an OB consists of stabilizing the fuel, replacing the gear oil, introducing fogging oil to the crankcase(2 cycle motors only) and cylinders, and lubricating the balance of the motor.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Can't speak for Mercs but on my Johnsons I've found tilting them up and down a few times will get them to drain just a bit more water out of the LU. I've never had a problem with one freezing before I noticed this quirk but always makes me feel a bit safer knowing I've gotten as much water out of them as possible and not relying on it to evaporate.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

The biggest thing is to change your gearcase oil. If by chance there's been water intrusion you want to find out before it has a chance to freeze.

Fogging is up to you, it's mostly for engines that are unused for a long period of time. I never winterize since I use my boats from time to time throughout the winter when the weather's decent, I just always make sure to tilt the engine down when I park the boat and it's good to go.